MMA Fighter Basics

Mixed martial artists are some of the toughest athletes in the history of sports. These individuals train as if they were going to war, and technically, they are going to war. An MMA fight will test every aspect of a fighter’s skill; it will test him physically, mentally and, most importantly, it’ll test just how badly he wants to win. Some fights end in the first 10 seconds, while others last every single minute of every round. One thing's for sure, though: Preparation for a big fight is no walk in the park.

Here is a breakdown of the MMA fighter basics and the intensive, grueling workout plan a fighter has to endure just to get into the ring.

training process

When training for an MMA fight, a fighter has to focus on a number of factors. The obvious concerns are speed, stamina, strength, power, agility, and flexibility. Another important point to consider is the fact that most fighters are put on a strict diet during their intense training. Speed, stamina and agility will keep the fighter on his toes, allowing him to dodge an opponent’s attacks, perform successful counterattacks and maintain enough energy to withstand the fight, while also storing energy to make sure he doesn't lose due to exhaustion. Strength, power and flexibility are what the fighter will need to work on to improve his punching and kicking force, while flexibility will also make it possible to maneuver around an opponent who is trying to submit him. Strength is also key among mixed martial arts fighter basics, as it means a fighter will not get thrown down easily when wrestling with an opponent.

MMA fighter basics fall into three main categories, all of them important components of any MMA fighter's training: stand-up fighting, clinch ability and ground game.

Stand-up fighting

Stand-up fighting focuses on training a fighter’s ability in punching, kicking, elbowing, and kneeing in order to go toe-to-toe with an opponent while exchanging blows — although some fighters might prefer one striking action over others. Any discussion of MMA fighter basics would be incomplete without mention of footwork training, which will help the fighter dodge an opponent’s attacks, and possibly land a devastating attack of his own. Stand-up fighting will train a fighter in a multiple array of disciplines, including kickboxing, full-contact karate, Kendo, Kung-Fu, Muay Thai, and even boxing. The disciplines a fighter chooses to focus on will depend on his preferences. Generally, however, MMA fighters will have an extensive knowledge of kickboxing, Muay Thai and boxing.

Best practice: Kickboxing

The most basic way to learn stand-up techniques is by practicing kickboxing. An MMA fighter basic, kickboxing involves all the fundamental actions that an amateur fighter needs to work on, especially punching and kicking, the two main components in stand-up fighting.

The first step is to get into a fighting stance, with one arm up to protect your face and the other arm a little lower to protect your body. In your fighting stance, you will practice your basic fighting techniques. First is a jab, which is a straight punch using the arm on the same side as your lead foot. Next is a cross punch, which is a punch from your rear hand (if you are standing with your right foot forward than your left hand is your cross hand). Then there is a hook shot, a punch thrown in a circular motion with your lead hand, and an uppercut, which is an upward punch with your fist pointed up.